Walter Davies (15 July 1761 – 5 December 1849), commonly known by his bardic nameGwallter Mechain ("Walter of Mechain"), was a Welsh poet, editor, translator, antiquary and Anglican clergyman.
Davies was born at Y Wern, near Tomen y Castell, Llanfechain, Montgomeryshire. He was educated at the village school and was to become a cooper, but with the help of the poet Owain Myfyr went to All Souls College, Oxford, graduating in 1795. He took Holy Orders and became a Church of England curate in the parish of Meifod, Montgomeryshire, moving in 1799 to Ysbyty Ifan, Denbighshire where he met and married his wife Mary. He went on to study at Trinity College, Cambridge, gaining his MA in 1803.[1] He was awarded the living of Llanwyddelan, Montgomeryshire and became rector of Manafon, Montgomeryshire where he remained for 30 years and did most of his literary work.
In 1797 he had begun a survey of the agriculture and economy of North Wales, which was published in two volumes in 1810 and 1813. This was followed in 1815 by a report on South Wales in collaboration with Iolo Morganwg (Edward Williams). He contributed to Samuel Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of Wales (1833).[2]
In 1837, he moved to the parish of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, where he died in 1849 and lies buried in the parish churchyard.
Davies was closely associated with the London Welsh, especially the Gwyneddigion Society, and the revival of the Cymmrodorion Society in 1820. He was a keen supporter of eisteddfodau, where he won many prizes, and he played an important role in establishing provincial eisteddfodic societies.
Referencesedit
^"Mechain, Gwallter (DVS803W)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
^"Walter Davies ('Gwallter Mechain') and The Board of Agriculture". The National Library of Wales. Retrieved 5 May 2008.
External linksedit
Welsh Biography Online
Gwallter Mechain's reports for the Board of Agriculture
Notes made by Walter Davies "Gwallter Mechain" (1761-1849) on his journey in Monmouthshire, Brecknockshire and Glamorganshire on behalf of the Board of Agriculture in 1811
January 01, 1970
gwallter, mechain, other, people, named, walter, davies, walter, davies, disambiguation, walter, davies, july, 1761, december, 1849, commonly, known, bardic, name, walter, mechain, welsh, poet, editor, translator, antiquary, anglican, clergyman, portrait, from. For other people named Walter Davies see Walter Davies disambiguation Walter Davies 15 July 1761 5 December 1849 commonly known by his bardic name Gwallter Mechain Walter of Mechain was a Welsh poet editor translator antiquary and Anglican clergyman Gwallter MechainPortrait of Gwallter Mechain from a collection at the National Library of WalesBornWalter Davies15 July 1761Llanfechain Montgomeryshire WalesDied5 December 1849 1849 12 05 aged 88 OccupationAnglican clergyman poet and antiquaryLanguageWelshNationalityWelsh Davies was born at Y Wern near Tomen y Castell Llanfechain Montgomeryshire He was educated at the village school and was to become a cooper but with the help of the poet Owain Myfyr went to All Souls College Oxford graduating in 1795 He took Holy Orders and became a Church of England curate in the parish of Meifod Montgomeryshire moving in 1799 to Ysbyty Ifan Denbighshire where he met and married his wife Mary He went on to study at Trinity College Cambridge gaining his MA in 1803 1 He was awarded the living of Llanwyddelan Montgomeryshire and became rector of Manafon Montgomeryshire where he remained for 30 years and did most of his literary work In 1797 he had begun a survey of the agriculture and economy of North Wales which was published in two volumes in 1810 and 1813 This was followed in 1815 by a report on South Wales in collaboration with Iolo Morganwg Edward Williams He contributed to Samuel Lewis s Topographical Dictionary of Wales 1833 2 In 1837 he moved to the parish of Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant where he died in 1849 and lies buried in the parish churchyard Davies was closely associated with the London Welsh especially the Gwyneddigion Society and the revival of the Cymmrodorion Society in 1820 He was a keen supporter of eisteddfodau where he won many prizes and he played an important role in establishing provincial eisteddfodic societies References edit Mechain Gwallter DVS803W A Cambridge Alumni Database University of Cambridge Walter Davies Gwallter Mechain and The Board of Agriculture The National Library of Wales Retrieved 5 May 2008 External links editWelsh Biography Online Gwallter Mechain and Iolo Morganwg University of Wales Gwallter Mechain s reports for the Board of Agriculture Notes made by Walter Davies Gwallter Mechain 1761 1849 on his journey in Monmouthshire Brecknockshire and Glamorganshire on behalf of the Board of Agriculture in 1811 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gwallter Mechain amp oldid 1173625221, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
